ME/CFS Australia (SA) Inc supports the needs of sufferers of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and related illnesses. We do this by providing services and information to members.

Disclaimer

ME/CFS Australia (SA) Inc aims to keep members informed of the various research projects, diets, medications, therapies etc. All communication, both verbal and written, is merely to disseminate information and not to make recommendations or directives.

Unless otherwise stated, the views expressed on this Web site are not necessarily the official views of the Society or its Committee and are not simply an endorsement of products or services.

KatZen albumTuesday 29 December 2009: US group KatZen has released an album entitled Overcome which highlights the struggle that lead singer Tamara Cimmerian has had with Fibromyalgia.

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Guidelines for visiting a person with MCSMonday 28 December 2009: Although a little late for Christmas, the following guidelines from Allergy, Sensitivity & Environmental Health Association Qld Inc are very thorough and useful for anyone visiting people suffering from MCS.

Documentary on household chemicalsSunday 20 December 2009: The Canary Report has posted an article about Chemerical, a new documentary focusing on a family and their efforts to minimise the amount of potentially harmful chemicals in their home.

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Tissue Bank updateSaturday 19 December 2009: Action for M.E. has an update on the UK's Tissue Bank.

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Epilepsy Centre closed during the holidaysFriday 18 December 2009: The Epilepsy Centre, home of Epilepsy Association of South Australia Inc – and the Society's office – situated at 266 Port Road, Adelaide, will be closed over the holiday break.

Ulysses Club donationFriday 27 November 2009: Simon Jackson, our Riverland ME/CFS Support Group coordinator, reports on the wonderful generosity of the Mallee Branch of the Ulysses Club, a motorcycle club for mature riders.

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An essay on psychology and ME/CFSThursday 26 November 2009: Paul Leverenz, Chairman of ME/CFS Australia, has written an essay on ME/CFS Australia's Blog about psychology and ME/CFS.

ME/CFS colouring bookTuesday 24 November 2009:Visit ME! is a colouring book by Danish author Vivian Hvenegaard and her eldest daughter Frederikke, and it follows the adventures of SMEA the little forest slug.

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Ten tips for travelMonday 23 November 2009: With the Christmas holidays fast approaching, CFIDS & Fibromyalgia Self-Help contributor Bruce Campbell has some timely advice on travelling for people with ME/CFS/Fibromyalgia.

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Why ME/CFS Australia needs to get strongerSunday 22 November 2009: Paul Leverenz, Chairman of ME/CFS Australia, has written an article on ME/CFS Australia's Blog about the need for greater power to ME/CFS Australia.

Health system failing people with ME/CFSFriday 20 November 2009: Paul Leverenz, Chairman of ME/CFS Australia, has written an article on ME/CFS Australia's Blog about the state of the Australian health system for people with ME/CFS.

ME/CFS research funding needs boostWednesday 18 November 2009: Paul Leverenz, Chairman of ME/CFS Australia, has written an article on ME/CFS Australia's Blog about the need for more research funding in Australia.

RCEP Handbook of DisabilitiesThursday 12 November 2009: The Rehabilitation Continuing Education Program (RCEP) at the University of Missouri was an organisation that provided training and other services to vocational rehabilitation agencies and counselors in the four US states of RSA Region 7 (Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas).

ME/CFS patient's treatment in UK health systemTuesday 10 November 2009:This is Kent reports on ME/CFS patient Jeannie Carson who has criticised her treatment by the UK's National Health Service and how the NHS views the disease as a psychiatric rather than physical one.

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Art exhibition inspired by ME/CFSMonday 9 November 2009: The Saturday 7 November edition of Adelaide's The Advertiser newspaper had an article on a new art exhibition inspired by its creator's experiences with ME/CFS.

Milnacipran and FibromyalgiaTuesday 3 November 2009: MedPage Today reports on the results of a double-blind trial involving the antidepressant milnacipran (brand name Savella) and its success in helping reduce the symptoms of Fibromyalgia.

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Bending the rulesMonday 2 November 2009: Critics of new medical tests aimed at getting claimants off benefits and into work say they are target-driven measures that penalise genuinely ill people.

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The Music WorksSunday 1 November 2009: The Music Works – aka The Dynamic Day Gig – is a monthly event held at the Governor Hindmarsh Hotel.

October

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A review of CBT and GETSaturday 31 October 2009: PubMed has published a review of the effectiveness of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Graded Exercise Therapy (GET).

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AHMF website upgradeFriday 30 October 2009: The Alison Hunter Memorial Foundation website has been revamped and given a new look.

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ME/CFS Australia blogThursday 29 October 2009: Paul Leverenz, chairman of our national association, ME/CFS Australia, has told us of the association's new blog.

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Physiological cost of walking in those with CFSWednesday 28 October 2009: Disability & Rehabilitation, official journal of the International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (ISPRM), has published the results of a study that looked at the manner of walking in people with ME/CFS.

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CFSAC meeting to be videocastTuesday 27 October 2009: ProHealth reports on an upcoming meeting of the US Government's Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Advisory Committee that will be videocast.

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Health care proposals concern doctorsMonday 26 October 2009: The Age has published an article about health care proposals by the Australian Government that have health care professionals concerned.

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Universal evaluation tool in CFSSunday 25 October 2009: Adrienne Dellwo reports on the development of a fatigue measurement tool called the Energy Index Point Score.

Laura Hillenbrand interviewMonday 19 October 2009:The New Yorker has an interview with author Laura Hillenbrand who has had ME/CFS for many years.

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ABC News article on Eric the PostieSunday 18 October 2009: Australia's ABC News has an article about Eric Smart, the former postie who recently arrived in Adelaide after his marathon bicycle ride for The ME Association.

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CFS & AgingSaturday 17 October 2009: The CFIDS Association of America's regular magazine, the CFIDS Chronicle, issued a special feature on CFS and aging.

Canary Report author interviewFriday 2 October 2009: Franny Armstrong, a regular contributor to The Canary Report, a website that focuses on Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, was recently interviewed in the Northumberland News.

Video on ABC NewsWednesday 30 September 2009: ABC News on its Good Morning America: Health program has an interview with Donnica Moore MD.

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Men and Fibromyalgia SurveyTuesday 29 September 2009: Men's Health Network has launched an online survey to gauge awareness, knowledge, and willingness of men to take action when faced with the signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia.

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Research: ME/CFS people and Second LifeMonday 28 September 2009: The most recent contact we have had about research is from Dr Mike Kent from the School of Media Communication & Culture at Murdoch University.

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Umbrella FestSunday 27 September 2009: The Somersault project comes to an end with its final event, Umbrella Fest, on Friday 9 and Saturday 10 October 2009.

What should an FM or ME/CFS patient do about the swine flu?Friday 25 September 2009: In addition to advice from Dr Charles Sheppard about swine flu for people with ME/CFS/Fibromyalgia, Dr Charles Lapp also has some advice for people concerned about whether they should be vaccinated, considering their current condition.

Prof Kenny De Meirleir in AustraliaSaturday 19 September 2009: ME/CFS Australia (Victoria) tells us that Belgian ME/CFS specialist Kenny De Meirleir will be appearing in Australia during October 2009 for two seminars.

Acupuncture researchWednesday 9 September 2009: Recent research from the University of Michigan shows that acupuncture does provide measurable pain relief.

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BBC profiles FibromyalgiaTuesday 8 September 2009: BBC Northern Ireland has an article, with an accompanying video, about Fibromyalgia.

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CFS symptom survey resultsMonday 7 September 2009: The CFIDS Association of America asked CFS patients to respond to a questionnaire about their CFS symptoms.

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Dr Cheney goes his own way – againSunday 6 September 2009: Cort Johnson has written an article about Dr Paul Cheney and the surprising findings of his recent research involving echocardiographic testing.

We've moved!Monday 10 August 2009: Adrienne Dellwo conducted an informal poll on what types of pain medications were used by people with Fibromyalgia.

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ME/CFS Knowledge CenterSunday 9 August 2009: The ME/CFS Knowledge Center is a new website that, in the words of its creators, focuses on "ways to help ME/CFS sufferers, as well as to increase knowledge of the illness among medical practitioners."

Asthma and MCS: study finds significant overlapFriday 7 August 2009: The Environmmental Illness Resource reports that a "new study looking at the prevalence of both asthma and chemical hypersensitivity in the United States has found a significant overlap between the two conditions."

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Hollywood ignores those with illnessesThursday 6 August 2009: Amy Kaufman & Tina McGilton have written an article in The Wrap, an online magazine covering the behind-the-scenes industry in Hollywood.

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CFS after infectious mononucleosis in adolescentsWednesday 5 August 2009: Pediatrics, the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, has published an article detailing research into the likelihood of adolescents contracting CFS after a bout of infectious mononucleosis.

Quiz nightMonday 27 July 2009: A local youth group will be holding a quiz night this Saturday (1 August).

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What's On My Food? websiteSunday 26 July 2009: What's On My Food? is a new website from the US that's been launched by Pesticide Action Network North America.

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Disability Parking Permit SchemeSaturday 25 July 2009: The Australian Government is calling on people to submit responses to proposed changes to its Disability Parking Permit Scheme.

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Sleep and Chronic Fatigue StudyFriday 24 July 2009: Dr Mark Kohler, of Adelaide's Women's and Children's Hospital, is conducting a study on the effects of sleep on children with ME/CFS and is looking for participants.

Phoenix RisingWednesday 22 July 2009:Phoenix Rising is an informative newsletter put out monthly by American CFS sufferer Cort Johnson on his Phoenix Rising website.

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Sophia HomeTuesday 21 July 2009: The Society held its most recent meeting on Saturday (18 July) at Sophia for the very first time, and we thought it might be helpful to let you know about Sophia and its services.

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CFS and Stem CellsMonday 20 July 2009: Carol Sieverling has written an article about an experimental and groundbreaking treatment by Dr Paul Cheney involving stem cells.

Switch on, switch offFriday 10 July 2009:The National has an interesting article about a new development in medical research called B-cell depletion therapy, a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis that appears to also have potential for those with ME/CFS.

MCS-friendly house for saleMonday 6 July 2009: Gillian McCarthy, a severe sufferer of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), was profiled on UK television program ITV WestCountry in a segment that highlights the plight of Gillian and many others.

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The Music WorksSunday 5 July 2009: The Music Works – aka The Dynamic Day Gig – is a monthly event held at the Governor Hindmarsh Hotel.

Fertility and FibromyalgiaWednesday 1 July 2009: Planet Thrive's vitality 101: cfs and fibromyalgia solutions section recently had a question about possible fertility problems for people with Fibromyalgia.

Reduced complexity of activity patternsSunday 28 June 2009: BioPsychoSocial Medicine has published an article entitled Reduced complexity of activity patterns in patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: a case control study.

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Curcumin and CFSSunday 28 June 2009: Examiner.com has an article by Deborah Mitchell about the potential benefits of curcumin.

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Leigh Hatcher talk reminderSaturday 27 June 2009: A quick reminder that author Leigh Hatcher will be speaking in Adelaide this evening.

Self-Management CourseFriday 26 June 2009: ME/CFS Australia (Victoria) is hosting a Self-Management Course in August that anyone will be able to participate in (via Skype).

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Prof Kenny De Meirleir in AustraliaFriday 26 June 2009: ME/CFS Australia (Victoria) tells us that Belgian ME/CFS specialist Kenny De Meirleir (pictured) will be appearing in Australia to head a Research and Education Session for health practitioners on Wednesday 22 July 2009.

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Australian Accessible Parking SchemeThursday 25 June 2009: The Feministe blog has a post written by Cara Kulwicki that is critical of a proposed Australian Accessibility Parking Scheme.

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MCS has major impact on everyday lifeThursday 25 June 2009: The Environmmental Illness Resource reports on a new study that "reveals the impact that multiple chemical sensitivity can have on all areas of sufferers' everyday lives".

Post-polio case misdiagnosed as MESaturday 20 June 2009: A woman with post-polio syndrome (PPS) who was misdiagnosed years ago as having ME has taken up the fight to raise awareness of PPS.

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MCS proclamationSaturday 20 June 2009: The American Chronicle reports on how "Thirty-six governors and mayors across America have already issued proclamations" for MCS, and that "more are still pouring in."

DIRCSunday 14 June 2009: The Disability Information and Resource Centre (DIRC) provides a professional and friendly information and referral service to the people of South Australia.

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ESME launches Think TankSunday 14 June 2009: The European Society for ME - Research & Knowledge is launching a Think Tank for ME.

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Disability insuranceSaturday 13 June 2009: Geoffrey Hallmann has written an article on disability insurance.

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Genetic study finds seven types of CFSSaturday 13 June 2009: The Environmental Illness Resource reports that "geneticists have discovered the biological basis for seven different subtypes of chronic fatigue syndrome which correspond with different symptom patterns in patients."

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Next Society meetingFriday 12 June 2009: A reminder that the Society's next meeting will be held tomorrow (13 June) at the Ellen Gowan Hall, 80 Payneham Rd, Stepney.

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Pfizer gives away drugs to the unemployedFriday 12 June 2009: Kaisernetwork.org reports that Pfizer is giving away a range of its prescription medications – including the Fibromyalgia drug Lyrica – to anyone who have been unemployed 1 January 2009.

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Immunostimulants in CFS/ME TreatmentThursday 11 June 2009: Maija Haavisto has written an article about drugs and supplements specifically targeting the immune system that may help people with ME/CFS/FM.

New Fibromyalgia videoWednesday 10 June 2009: National Fibromyalgia Association and Pfizer have produced a video that features the Association's president, Lynne Matallana, and Kim Dupree Jones, PhD, RN, FNP.

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Juvenile Fibromyalgia researchWednesday 10 June 2009: Dr Ritchie Shoemaker was a speaker at the 9th International IACFS/ME Research and Clinical Conference.

CFSAC Meeting videosTuesday 9 June 2009: Video and audio files of the latest CFSAC Meeting are now available.

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Leigh Hatcher talkMonday 8 June 2009: Author Leigh Hatcher will be speaking in Adelaide on Saturday 27 June 2009.

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Creative healingSunday 7 June 2009:The Times Herald has an inspiring article about how Cecil Williams copes with his Fibromyalgia.

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Environmental Working GroupSunday 7 June 2009: If you suffer from Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, you may be interested in the Environmental Working Group.

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Another Fibromyalgia news item videoSaturday 6 June 2009: In addition to our other news item about Fibromyalgia being reported on a TV news program, WLUC TV6 also has a news item on video about the disease.

National Disability Insurance SchemeFriday 5 June 2009: The Weekend Australian recently published an editorial about the National Disability Services organisation and a proposed National Disability Insurance Scheme.

IiME International ME/CFS Conference reportThursday 4 June 2009: A contributor to ProHealth who goes by the name of "consuegra" has posted a report of the 4th International ME/CFS Conference held on 29 May 2009 in London.

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Scientists develop home-testing kit for MEWednesday 3 June 2009: Following on from our previous news item about Prof Kenny De Meirleir's announcement, the UK's Daily Mail reports on an ME/CFS testing kit created by Prof De Meirleir.

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Kenny De Meirleir announcementWednesday 3 June 2009: ProHealth has a report on an announcement made by Prof Kenny De Meirleir at a press conference on 28 May.

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Cognitive deficits associated with CFSTuesday 2 June 2009: The Open Neurology Journal has published an article entitled "An Investigation into the Cognitive Deficits Associated with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome" by Marie Thomas and Andrew Smith.

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Just Four QuidTuesday 2 June 2009: Just Four Quid is a UK campaign that "aims to raise £1 million for biomedical research into ME/CFS!".

Arizona Trail for FibromyalgiaSaturday 30 May 2009: A US woman by the name of Sirena has completed a marathon walk to raise awareness of Fibromyalgia.

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Pharmacotherapy for CFSSaturday 30 May 2009: The CFIDS Association of America has published a document entitled "Pharmacotherapy for CFS".

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Phoenix RisingFriday 29 May 2009: Phoenix Rising is an informative newsletter put out monthly by American CFS sufferer Cort Johnson on his website CFS Phoenix.

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UK student with ME nominated for awardFriday 29 May 2009: The UK's Dunfermline Press has a news item about Clare Birney, a student who's been nominated for a Fife Adult Learners Award despite her ongoing battle with ME.

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Somersault UmbrellaFest launchThursday 28 May 2009: Somersault is an ongoing project about disability led community building, embracing installation, journey and celebration.

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Pain is Not Invisible ProjectThursday 28 May 2009: Chronic Pain Australia has launched an initiative called the Pain is Not Invisible Project which provides a visual representation of chronic pain sufferers around Australia.

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Bringing the heat: An ME/CFS BlogWednesday 27 May 2009: Bringing the Heat: An ME/CFS Blog is a great new blog by Cort Johnson who's also responsible for the CFS Phoenix website.

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Two charities launch £1m appeal for ME researchWednesday 27 May 2009: The ME Association in the UK has announced that two charities are "launching a recession-busting campaign to raise £1,000,000 for biomedical research into the much-misunderstood illness ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome".

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Free Volunteers Day ConcertTuesday 26 May 2009: The South Australian Government's Office for Volunteers is holding a free Volunteers Day Concert and is inviting people to join in.

Petition against CDC's definition of CFSMonday 25 May 2009: Tom Kindlon, our only member from the Republic of Eire and also a member of our Facebook group, has set up an online petition against the CDC's definition of CFS.

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SBS program: Dead TiredMonday 25 May 2009: SBS will be showing a new two-part documentary series on the effects of sleep deprivation called Dead Tired.

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Story contestSunday 24 May 2009: ME-CFSCommunity.com is holding a competition for stories about ME/CFS, either in written or video form.

Marg Purcell radio interviewSaturday 16 May 2009: 774 ABC Melbourne radio host Richard Stubbs interviewed Marg Purcell, a former Masters Athlete who has ME/CFS and has written a book, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Journey I'm Still On.

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Neil Blyth radio interviewFriday 15 May 2009: AESSRA's International Chemical Sensitivity Seminar is being held in Melbourne today.

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Awareness Week: Victorian SeminarThursday 14 May 2009: ME/CFS Australia (Victoria) will be holding an Awareness Week Seminar this Sunday, 17 May in the Yarra Room of Melbourne Town Hall.

Melbourne’s first fragrance-free seminarSaturday 9 May 2009: The Allergy and Environmental Sensitivity Support and Research Association Inc (AESSRA) will be holding an international chemical sensitivity seminar in Melbourne on Friday 15 May.

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Survey resultsFriday 8 May 2009: We mentioned last year a survey undertaken by Tanya Secker from Griffith University.

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Another bike ride for charityThursday 7 May 2009:Matthew Beall is a man in the UK who is planning to ride his bike 140 miles (225km) this month to raise money for the Association of Young People with ME.

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Walk of FAMEWednesday 6 May 2009: The Walk of FAME is an annual event held by the National Fibromyalgia Association in the US.

New type of MRI helping Fibromyalgia patientsThursday 30 April 2009: US TV news station KING5 has a story and accompanying video about “a new type of MRI screening [for Fibromyalgia] that’s providing some surprising answers, as well as a new way to treat patients who’ve never been able to find relief.”

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Next Society meetingWednesday 29 April 2009: A reminder that the Society's next meeting will be held this Saturday (2 May) at the Ellen Gowan Hall, 80 Payneham Rd, Stepney.

IACFS/ME Conference videosMonday 27 April 2009: The Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Support Group blog at DailyStrength has provided a list of all available videos from the 9th IACFS/ME Conference.

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Survey: Fibromyalgia and foodSunday 26 April 2009: Jacquie Mayes, a nutritional therapist from the UK, has published the results of a survey she undertook asking the question: “Fibromyalgia: is there a link between symptoms and foods consumed?”

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MCS America’s latest newsletterSaturday 25 April 2009: In addition to its regular list of links, advocacy group MCS America publishes a monthly newsletter chock full of informative articles.

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Sleepydust videoFriday 24 April 2009: Sleepydust has produced a video of an overview of ME/CFS.

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Low-dose naltrexoneThursday 23 April 2009: WebMD reports on successful trials involving naltrexone, a drug used for easing the effects of heroin and alcohol withdrawal.

IACFS/ME Conference coverageTuesday 21 April 2009: The CFIDS Association of America, has comprehensive coverage of the 9th International IACFS/ME Research and Clinical Conference held in the US on 12-15 March 2009.

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Flinders University fatigue studyMonday 20 2009: Flinders University is conducting a study which “investigates the validity of a new measure of daytime fatigue – the Flinders Fatigue Scale (FFS).”

Ride for CFS on the radioTuesday 14 April 2009:The Society’s president, Peter Cahalan, was interviewed on 639 ABC North and West, an AM radio station in the Flinders Ranges, yesterday morning (at 7:15!).

NHS Choices videosFriday 10 April 2009: The UK’s NHS Choices website has two videos on its website – one from a patient’s perspective in its section on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and one from a doctor’s perspective.

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Documentary interview on YouTubeThursday 9 April 2009: An interview involving two young women with ME/CFS was filmed for an upcoming CFS documentary by Dr Franky Dolan and is available on YouTube.

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IACFS/ME Conference summayWednesday 8 April 2009: Dr Rosamund Vallings MNZM MB BS (London), a New Zealand doctor who specialises in ME/CFS, has written a summary of the 9th International IACFS/ME Research and Clinical Conference held in the US on 12-15 March 2009.

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Looking for a CFS, FM or ME Pen Pal?Tuesday 7 April 2009: The CF Alliance is a free, international discussion group for people with ME/CFS/Fibromyalgia as well as their families and/or caregivers.

Online questionnaireThursday 2 April 2009: Aoife Tobin, a research student at the University of Sussex at Brighton in the UK, is conducting a survey on language problems in people with ME/CFS for her final year dissertation.

Injections of lidocaine 'show good results in fibromyalgia patients'Thursday 26 March 2009: The UK’s Arthritis Research Campaign reports on research results published in the medical journal Clinical Rheumatology that show a marked improvement in Fibromyalgia patients when given injections of lidocaine, a drug used primarily in dentistry and minor surgery.

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Ride for CFS – latest updateWednesday 25 March 2009:The boys of Ride for CFS, Nick Lawless and his mates, are on their bikes – and raising money for us.

Riverland meeting reminderMonday 23 March 2009:A reminder that the Riverland ME/CFS Support Group’s next meeting will be held this Friday (27 March) at the Riverland Resource Centre in Berri.

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Underactive adrenal glandsSunday 22 March 2009: Dr Sarah Myhill has written an article about the problems associated with underactive adrenal glands as well as suitable treatments.

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The NICE debate extends to ParliamentSaturday 21 March 2009: The furore over the legal judgement in favour of the NICE Guidelines shows no sign of abating – and now peers in the UK Parliament have joined in.

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IACFS/ME Conference summaryFriday 20 March 2009: Kim McCleary, President and Chief Executive Officer of the CFIDS Association of America, has provided a summary of the 9th International IACFS/ME Research and Clinical Conference held in the US on 12-15 March 2009.

Centrelink’s Mobility AllowanceThursday 12 March 2009: If you have a disability and engage in work- or volunteer-related activities, then Centrelink can provide financial help to get you to the places you need to go.

Mental fatigue can affect physical enduranceThursday 5 March 2009:EurekAlert! reports that “Mental fatigue can affect physical endurance” and that “Findings could become research model to help those with chronic fatigue.”

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OHSU offers chronic pain guidelines for opioidsWednesday 4 March 2009:kgw.com reports that “A new guideline for treating chronic pain with opioid medications normally reserved for cancer patients has been published with recommendations from Oregon Health & Science University researchers.”

£730,000 for research into CFS in childrenMonday 2 March 2009:A press release from the UK’s University of Bristol has announced: “A new area of ground-breaking research to provide a better understanding of the cause, treatment and prevention of CFS/ME in children has secured a prestigious fellowship and funding of £730,000.”

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The Music WorksSunday 1 March 2009: The Music Works – aka The Dynamic Day Gig – is a monthly event held at the Governor Hindmarsh Hotel.

February

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Scent marketingSaturday 28 February 2009:Ever wondered how perfume companies deal with customers who have adverse reactions to their products?

Ride for CFS – donate onlineMonday 23 February 2009:We mentioned Ride for CFS a little while ago – it’s the brainchild of 15-year-old Nick Lawless who, along with three mates, is planning to ride 380km off-road along the Mawson Trail in South Australia for a week in April.

Impaired Language in Fibromyalgia & CFSSaturday 21 February 2009: About.com’s Adrienne Dellwo has written an article about dysphasia, a language disorder where people have difficulty with names, places, numbers etc.

ME/CFS book available for downloadThursday 19 February 2009: Dr Sarah Myhill has graciously given us permission to make her book, Diagnosing and Treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, available for download.

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Meetings for 2009Wednesday 18 February 2009: Here’s the latest list of meetings for 2009.

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Dr Ken RoweTuesday 17 February 2009: The recent Victorian bushfires have touched virtually every Australian in one way or another.

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Judicial Review – summary of High Court proceedingsMonday 16 February 2009:In addition to our earlier news item about the UK’s High Court challenge to the NICE Guidelines, Dr Charles Shepherd has now provided The ME Association with a report of the proceedings last Wednesday and Thursday (11 and 12 February).

The Music WorksSunday 8 February 2009:The Music Works – aka The Dynamic Day Gig – is a monthly event held at the Governor Hindmarsh Hotel.

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Fibromyalgia woman awarded payout in the USSaturday 7 February 2009:SFGate reports that a US woman with fibromyalgia has been awarded a $US75,000 payout after the company she worked for, Georgia-Pacific, forced her to work unreasonable hours, disregarding her condition.

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Eric the Postie: updateFriday 6 February 2009:Last August we told you about Eric Smart, a former postie and now yoga teacher from Scotland, who is cycling from that wee bonny country to Australia to raise money for The ME Association in the UK.

New drug approved for FibromyalgiaThursday 29 January 2009:About.com’s Guide to Drugs reports on the latest drug to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in Fibromyalgia.

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Correcting the HPA axis dysfunctionWednesday 28 January 2009:PLoS Computational Biology, the official journal of the International Society for Computational Biology, has published a research article on “Model-Based Therapeutic Correction of Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Dysfunction”.

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Fibromyalgia on HouseTuesday 27 January 2009:Fibromyalgia got a mention – albeit briefly – on a recent episode of the TV series House, broadcast on 19 January in the US.

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Research Finds Healthy Use For Tanning Beds As Pain TreatmentMonday 26 January 2009:Despite the potential risks associated with tanning beds, Digtriad.com reports that “Ultraviolet light may help relieve pain in fibromyalgia syndrome patients, according to a preliminary study at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center conducted by dermatology, rheumatology, and public health sciences researchers.”

The MCS research report campaign: another voiceSaturday 24 January 2009:In addition to yesterday’s comments by Prof Anne Steinemann and Anne Kennedy, we also have comments on the MCS research report campaign provided by Susanna Agardy.

Our Facebook hits the ton!Thursday 15 January 2009:Four new members have joined the Society’s Facebook group in the past week, and that’s cause for celebration for us as this takes us over the magic figure of 100 Facebook members.

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The Alexander TechniqueWednesday 14 January 2009:Something that we haven’t mentioned before on this website is the Alexander Technique. It’s a gentle form of exercise that can help alleviate muscular pain.

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The case for riboseTuesday 13 January 2009:Quite a few articles have popped up on the Web that discuss the benefits of ribose (also called deoxyribose or D-Ribose) for reducing many of the symptoms of ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia DVDThursday 8 January 2009:Fibromyalgia: Fitting the Pieces Together is a new documentary available on DVD which focuses on Sharon Ostalecki’s journey with the disease.

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Childhood trauma linked to CFS later in lifeWednesday 7 January 2009:MedPage Today reports that “Patients who experienced emotional or physical trauma during childhood appear to be at increased risk of developing chronic fatigue syndrome as adults, researchers here found”.

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Life Goes OnTuesday 6 January 2009:A member has told us of a new and extremely helpful organisation: Life Goes On.

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M.E. on UK televisionMonday 5 January 2009:M.E. was recently featured on the UK television program Meridian Tonight.